The Phoenix Suns and Houston Rockets game on March 30, 2025, took an unexpected turn when tensions flared between Kevin Durant and Dillon Brooks following a hard foul.
The altercation began late in the second quarter, with 4:48 remaining, when Brooks fouled Durant as he drove to the basket. After the initial contact, Durant and Brooks became entangled, leading to an exchange where Durant shoved Brooks, prompting a heated reaction from the Rockets’ forward. Suns center Nick Richards also stepped in during the scuffle, escalating the situation further.
Referees immediately intervened and reviewed the incident. Following the review:
- Technical fouls were assessed to Durant and Richards for their involvement.
- Dillon Brooks received two technical fouls, resulting in his automatic ejection from the game.
Durant’s Recent Clashes Add Context
This latest incident with Brooks adds to a string of recent confrontations for Durant, including a heated exchange with his former teammate Chris Paul.
Over the past two months, Durant has also clashed with Desmond Bane of the Memphis Grizzlies and Karlo Matković of the New Orleans Pelicans, adding to a growing list of altercations that have put him in the spotlight.
Additional Incident and Injury
In the third quarter, Durant’s night took another unfortunate turn when he suffered a left ankle sprain after landing on Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr.’s foot while attempting another drive to the basket. Durant exited the game shortly after, finishing with 11 points and 8 rebounds in 23 minutes.
An MRI on Monday confirmed the sprain, and Durant is expected to miss at least one week as he recovers. This is Durant’s third left ankle sprain since joining the Suns, adding to concerns about his durability as the team fights to stay in playoff contention.
Game Outcome
Despite the tension and the loss of Brooks, the Rockets dominated the game, securing a 148-109 victory over the Suns. Jalen Green led Houston’s offense with an impressive 33 points, while Devin Booker paced Phoenix with 28 points.
The clash between Durant and Brooks added intensity to an already high-stakes matchup, and with playoff positioning on the line, these teams could find themselves in another heated battle if they meet in the postseason.
The Suns, currently sitting in the 11th spot in the Western Conference with a 35-40 record, are 1.5 games behind the final Play-In Tournament position with seven games remaining. Durant’s absence could significantly impact the team’s postseason hopes as they look to make a late push.
